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gps phone


taters

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Posted

i was wondering if i could get a mobile phone with gps and just plug it into my ear and get spoken directions? sometimes i just can't see the gps if the sun is on it. thanks taters

Jerry Johnston
Posted

Why not just wire your GPS with headphones?

ElevenFifty
Posted

I guess you could, but ...

- you are restricted to a single destination at a time

- the service provider picks the route

- you are paying for connect time...

 

With a GPS (refurbished Garmin 2610's as CHEAP), you have voice navigation when you want it, a computer program to plan multi-segment routes on the roads YOU choose, and the ability to share routes with others.

Posted

did not know i could do that. i guess i should just ask my bmw dealer when i bring it in for repair in two weeks. thanks taters

ArthurKnowles
Posted
I guess you could, but ...

- you are restricted to a single destination at a time

- the service provider picks the route

- you are paying for connect time...

 

Actually, that's not true. Not true at all. I have a HTC 8925/AT&T Tilt. It has a built in GPS.. I run Garmin Mobile XT software on it. Works as well as any other Garmin GPS. Plus, since my phone supports bluetooth it talks to my helmet (Camos 600) and provides a wire free connection for me to hear the spoken directions. And of course, it still works fine as a phone and a WMA/MP3 player.

 

This is all possible because the phone is a Windows Mobile 6.x phone. I also use it to get my e-mail. Conenct to the internet for web browsing. Run Microsoft Live and get directions (it also supposrts my GPS) but more often use it to find the nearest gas station with the best price. Check traffic too, but Garmin Mobile XT does that as well all using my 3G data connection.

Posted

If you can wait Tom Tom and I'm sure many others will be releasing software for the new GPS enabled iPhone.

 

Tom Tom iPhone

 

6-9-08-tomtom-iphone2.jpg

Posted

What about cell coverage ? My phone loses signal from place to place, especialy on back roads...but the Zumo has never lost it except in a garage.

Posted

What about cell coverage ?

 

They've installed real satellite GPS receivers in the 3G iPhone so it works like any other GPS device. The receiver is not as sensitive as true GPS devices but it pretty decent. What's missing is the software and map data to truly utilize the capabilities of the phone. TomTom and Garmin are a little scared of this new device since they are worried that it will take away from their hardware sales but they need to realize that software is the way to go and the first one to write an application will gain a large market share.

 

GPS review

Posted

I also have the AT&T Tilt (a.k.a. HTC Tytn II) and have the Garmin Mobile XT software which cost about $90. It does indeed do all of the things that Arthur described. I could not ask for a better phone. The only limitation is that the Garmin Mobile XT comes on a MicroSD chip which is 2GB. This limits the amount of storage for music. But, there is a procedure on the Internet for backing up the Garmin software, replacing the original MicroSD card with an 8GB module and restoring Mobile XT software to the new chip. This leaves more than 7GB free space for music and other files. More than enough for a weeks worth of music.

 

No disrespect meant but the iPhone locks you into a proprietary format called iTunes. It has less capability than the ATT Tilt and it is locked to the ATT network and requires a two year plan at an outrageous price. It simply is not worth what you pay for.

 

But it is cool!

 

Cheers!

 

Todd

ArthurKnowles
Posted

Todd,

 

I've already replaced my Garmin software on an 8 Gb card. If you want to do the same send me a PM. FWIW, after loading up my music, maps, BMW manuals, etc. I have about 3 GB free. But when I get a 16 ~ 32 Gb card, I'll be able to put all the music I own on it and much more.

 

I never quite figured out the iPhone/HTC Diamond crowd as neither provides for any future memeory expansion. And as we know you always need more space to store things.

 

BTW: My Tilt is now running a 6.1 OS. Not quite prime time, but working very well. XDA Developer network supplied the know how and I did the work. SIM & CID unlocked (although I'm an AT&T customer) and I only pay $20 for my unlimited data plane (a carry over fro0m owning a 3125 smartphone). In any case, if I can help you out to tweak your phone let me know.

Posted

Thanks Arthur for the offer of help with the 8GB card. I work in the IT industry so this is a piece of cake for me.

 

Cheers!

 

Todd

ArthurKnowles
Posted
I work in the IT industry so this is a piece of cake for me.

 

You and me both. Maybe that's why we see so much usefulness from Windows Mobile phones.

 

My phone is my mobile workstation. I don't even carry around my laptop anymore when I travel.

 

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